It’s a true statement when I say that if I had not been into Phish, I would have never found Goose the band. And, I think it’s true for Goose, that had they not discovered Phish – there wouldn’t be Goose, either.

Goose, to me, is not just another American jam band – but is the one that will carry the torch for the next generation. Sure, they aren’t playing Madison Square Garden (yet) but they are currently on tour with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (P4). In my opinion, Goose should be the headliners but we all have to pay our dues.

Like a new, hot boyfriend, these guys have completely infiltrated my life. They are all I think about, listen to and I’m completely obsessed with the way their music makes me feel.

Like most Southern Californians, I spend a lot of time in the car. I have a 20-mile commute to/from work and while some listen to talk radio – you can be sure that I’m either jamming to Phish or, most recently Goose the band.

Hot Tea

I discovered Goose the band through a Facebook group called Phish Chicks. One of the women who started it (Bethany Barker) started posting videos of them, stating how good they were and that we MUST check them out. I didn’t give it much though until one day, out of curiosity I clicked on one of her videos – and WOW – immediately I was intrigued.

After watching every video, she posted from a few recent shows she attended on the east coast – I needed more. I headed over to YouTube where I became engrossed in the show in Covington, KY on June 2, 2018 as well as the July 27, 2019 Peach Fest set in Scranton, PA.

When that was done, I found myself wanting to listen to them in the car instead of my usual LivePhish app. What was happening? Was I giving up on my old married relationship to Phish for a hot young thang I felt budding with Goose? Why, yes, I think I was.

This is when I subscribed to Nugs.net. Take my $25 a month so I can create endless Goose playlists and overindulge in the Sunday Soundboards they drop weekly. I was hooked.

About a week after discovering Goose, I told a coworker friend of my mine who also loves Phish to check them out. He was pretty nonchalant with the response of “eh, yeah, ok.”

Arcadia’s Got Me Running

Next thing I know, I get an email from him saying he is now also obsessed and we talk about how much we want to see them live. But they are a small (we all start out small) east coast band and it will probably be a while before they grace us with their presence.

Well, I think the Goose Gods heard me that day because less than 3 hours later, I get an alert on my phone from BandsInTown app that Goose is coming to my area! What?!

Like any over-indulgent fan, I purchase tickets to their show at the Troubadour month sin advance. It sells out eventually and then I’m bummed I didn’t buy the 2-night pass ticket instead – but I digress.

So, Feb 9^th rolls around and I pull up to the Troubadour on the corner of Doheny and Santa Monica Boulevard. The Troubadour, a small, intimate historic venue is a place I spent a good amount of time as a teenager – but as I entered adult years – I haven’t been back.

Although I wanted them to play longer, I was glad they were opening because I’m getting old and staying out late is not as easy as it once was for me.

As Peter, Rick, Trevor & Ben took the stage, I felt like a kid on Goose MAs eve. Immediately, the music filled the room of what couldn’t have been more than 200 people. I was front and center watching Peters goofy smile, Rick’s sexy bod and Trevor’s stoic stare.

All I Need

The way they play proves they have studied their predecessors in the scene (Trey Anastasio, Jerry Garcia, etc.) and have taken it up to a new level of jamming. One that is flawless, beautiful and uniquely their own.

Their covers, which they do quite often, are (dare I say it) better than the originals.

You guys, this band is just so so good and if you have any interest in the Jam Band scene – you must check out Goose.

Laura Marie Loftus is a writer living in Los Angeles, CA. Read more of here writing here.